Flood group chief’s plea to Holyrood

Stuart Marshall is calling on the Scottish Government to bring forward plans for a flood protection scheme for the town, writes Jason Marshall.

And the Hawick Volunteer Flood Group chief is urging his fellow councillors to put pressure on Holyrood to deliver the flood defences.

“Our town has suffered yet again with serious flooding, and to have to wait six years before delivery of such a scheme is, I’m afraid, totally unaceeptable,” said Mr Marshall.

He added: “Yesterday has got to be the most challenging of days not only for my flood group and the countless volunteers who turned out to support us, but, more importantly, for the residents who have been affected by this storm.

“At one point I couldn’t keep up with telephone calls of support from rugby clubs and individuals and it proved to me just how strong our community is.

“My group issued in excess of 2,000 sandbags over a 24-hour period and some of the group worked continuously without a break.

“Each time I asked the council to provide us with pallets of sandbags they delivered them immediately to that location.

“The volunteers also bagged more than four tonnes of sand in order to assist the council who were absolutely stretched to bursting point.”

Mr Marshall added that today will see flood group support focus on those who have been displaced from their homes and that group members were ready at a moment’s notice to help the emergency planning teams.